Pitchfork Music Festival featuring The Smile, Big Thief, and Bon Iver (Friday-Sunday):

One of Chicago’s must prestigious music festivals returns to Union Park this weekend for three days of indie and alternative rock, hip-hop, and R&B. Friday headliners, The Smile, consists of Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead fame. If you are at Union Park this weekend, we highly recommend checking out Julia Jacklin on Saturday and Soul Glo on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased here.

Cubs host the Cardinals (Friday-Sunday):

The St. Louis Cardinals decided to turn on the heat right before this three-game stand in Chicago. Prior to last week, they had had an extremely disappointing season. Now, they’re on fire. The Cubs, if they’re going to have any shot at playing in October, need to dominated this weekend.

Tacos y Tamales Festival at 16th St & Peoria (Friday-Sunday):  Attendees can enjoy authentic Tacos y Tamales from Chicago’s very best food vendors, beer portfolio by Modelo, Micheladas, music, art alley, & shopping. Get all the information you need here.

The Rumble: Chicago’s Hardcore Music Festival (Friday-Saturday):

If the mellow vibes of Pitchfork aren’t your thing, the Cobra Lounge parking lot is the place to be. On Friday and Saturday, Chicago’s premier hardcore punk festival takes stage. Featuring the likes of the iconic Cro-Mags, Killing Time, and Militarie Gun, this is guaranteed to be the rowdiest festival in all of Chicagoland this year.

Sad Summer Fest at Northerly Island (Friday):

Another alternative subgenre celebrates in style on Friday. Emos get a chance to let their freak flags fly at Northerly Island with Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, Hot Mulligan, and more. If the warm summer months make you ache for the days of Warped Tour, we have a suitable replacement in Sad Summer Fest. Limited tickets remain.

Live at Silver Creek Event Center in New Buffalo (Friday):

The masterminds that brought you Throwing Copper in 1994 head to the Sliver Creek Event Center in New Buffalo on Friday night for a set that will feature some of the single best songs of the 90’s. A few tickets are still left.

Glitterer at Beat Kitchen (Friday):

Glitterer, an electro-punk band fronted by Ned Russin, former frontman of the forever-underappreciated Title Fight, heads to the Beat Kitchen on Friday night for an intimate show full of bangers. Get a ticket here.

Summer in Chillcago with Dougie Stylz (Friday): 

Join Dougie Stylz and the Q101 Street Crew at The Broken Barrel Bar located at 2548 N Southport Ave, broadcasting LIVE with Coors Light on Friday , July 21st from 3pm-7pm. We’ll be kicking off Summer in Chillcago with Coors Light!  Win tickets, Q101 swag, and much more!

Hang with Brian for your shot at PIQNIQ Puppy Pit Tickets (Friday): 

It’s almost time for PIQNIQ!  Get your hands on a White Claw Vodka Soda, a shot at FREE PIQNIQ tickets and the chance to hang with BadFlower in our Puppy Pit at the show!Join Brian at Bedrocks bar located in Shorewood at 700 W Jefferson st on Friday, July 21st from 5pm – 7pm for your shot at PIQNIQ tickets and more!

Destroy Boys at Metro (Saturday):

Riot Fest alumni Destroy Boys take to the Metro on Saturday night for a night of feminist fury. Few bands garnered more buzz after their set at Riot Fest 2022. Now, it’s time to see them in the intimate confines of the Metro.

Hang with Brian for your shot at PIQNIQ Puppy Pit Tickets (Saturday): 

It’s almost time for PIQNIQ!  Get your hands on a White Claw Vodka Soda, a shot at FREE PIQNIQ tickets and the chance to hang with BadFlower in our Puppy Pit at the show!Join Brian at Garfield’s bevergage warehouse located in Palatine at 15 S Brockway Street on Saturday, July 22nd from 2pm – 4pm for your shot at PIQNIQ tikets and more!

Ravenswood On Tap (Saturday-Sunday): 

The stretch of Ravenswood Avenue that’s dubbed “Malt Row” hosts this annual festival, which features drinks provided by the neighborhood’s diverse craft brewing scene alongside bites from local restaurants, shopping vendors, axe-throwing and live music. The two-day event spotlights beers from Half Acre, Cultivate by Forbidden Root, Dovetail, Spiteful, Hop Butcher for the World, Begyle and more, plus cocktails from KOVAL Distillery—hop heads will want to try some of the special tappings.

PetCon in River West (Saturday-Sunday): 

The world’s most influential pets are coming to town this weekend for PetCon. Morgan Manufacturing will be transformed into a pet lover’s paradise, where attendees can meet their favorite pet influencers, discover innovative products and local pet charities, and even adopt a new four-legged friend. There will also be a diverse range of pet-focused goods and exhibitors that include pet illustrators and painters, a celebrity groomer and a pet photographer with themed backdrops.

Justin Fields was tracked down by CBS Sports and was asked who the five greatest rushing quarterbacks in NFL history were. The two-year pro included himself in the conversation, while also listing the likes of Michael Vick and Steve Young.

Fields set the single-game rushing record for quarterbacks last season. Fields is 6-21 in his career.

A $68M class action lawsuit is paying out currently for Illinois Instagram users. The settlement stems from violations to Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act. The act prohibits companies from collecting and storing biometric information.

Illinois residents who’ve used Instagram between August 10, 2015 to August 16, 2023 can file a claim no later than September 27. You can file a claim at this link.

You also may send questions to the Settlement Administrator at [email protected].

A former Northwestern football player filed the first lawsuit against Pat Fitzgerald and members of the school’s leadership, seeking damages from the hazing scandal that has rocked the organization. The player, who played on the football team from 2018 to 2022, had his filing submitted by the Chicago-based Salvi Law Firm.

“It wasn’t just confined to one bad actor,” attorney Parker Stinar said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It wasn’t just confined to one team, like the football team. It also included a culture that was accepted and tolerated and encouraged on the baseball team and other sports teams, and also with men and women’s sports.

More lawsuits, filed by multiple law firms, are expected to follow from former football and baseball players as well as from student-athletes who played other sports for the Wildcats.

Authorities in Nevada confirmed Tuesday that they served a search warrant this week in connection with the long-unsolved killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, which took place in 1996. Shakur was 25 when he was gunned down in Las Vegas in a murder that remains unsolved to this day.

Nevada does not have a statute of limitations for prosecuting homicide cases.

Department spokesperson Aden OcampoGomez said he could not provide further details on the latest development in the case, citing the open investigation.

Sons of Anarchy star Ron Perlman recently caught attention on social media for giving an intense rant (or threat, depending on your feelings) towards studio executives regarding the ongoing strike that is tearing Hollywood apart.

Perlman expressed vague intentions to burn down someone’s house, in regards to comments made by a studio executive that wanted strikers to lose their homes or apartments.

Perlman would later apologize on Instagram.

The scene at the Taste of Antioch took a turn for the worse over the weekend as a 10-year-old was thrown from a Moby Dick ride at the festival. Another kid who was on the ride said the bar for his seat on the Moby Dick ride was coming over his head several times and he had to resecure it.

The child was flown to a hospital. Their condition hasn’t been released.

Windy City Smokeout (Thursday-Sunday)

Headliners Zach Bryan, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, and Zac Brown Band bring the thunder to Chicago’s premier country music festival and smokeout. This event is sold out.

Millenium Art Festival (Friday-Sunday)

Taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 14, 15 and 16, this top-ranked three-day show in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant downtown attracts locals and tourists alike, giving them plenty of time to enjoy the art of 140 juried artists from near and far. Located just a few blocks north of Millennium Park, guests will see an array of original artwork including paintings, ceramics, photography, furniture and more, at all price points.

Colombia Fest Chicago (Friday-Sunday)

Celebrate the anniversary of Colombian independence at this festival at Northeastern Illinois University, where you’ll find live music, food vendors, a circus, a kids’ area, games and more. Headlining acts on the music stage include singers Yeison Jimenez and Elden Dayan Diaz as well as the “Queen of Merengue” Milly Quezada.

Chicago Craft Beer Fest in Lincoln Park (Friday-Sunday)

The Chicago Craft Beer Festival moves to Lincoln Park this year for a three-day extravaganza of craft brews. There will be multiple sessions each day, limited to 600 people per session, so snag a tasting ticket to secure your spot and feel free to grab a bite to eat before you begin sampling.

Cubs host the Red Sox (Friday-Sunday) 

Fresh off the All-Star break, the Cubs are back at home, battling the Red Sox in a three-game series at the Friendly Confines.

Wheatus at Beat Kitchen (Friday)

Calling all ‘teenage dirtbags’. Wheatus heads to the Beat Kitchen on Friday for an intimate evening of 90’s tunes and good vibes. You can purchase tickets to this show here.

Bonny Doon at Thalia Hall (Friday)

Folk standouts Bonny Doon bring their sweet and sensitive tunes to Thalia Hall for a performance “in the round”. Describing themselves as a “natural music ensemble”, Doon could be the next to grab the baton that the likes of Noah Kahan and The 502s have begun running with. Get there early to catch Anna St. Louis, who is absolutely wonderful. Get tickets before they’re gone!

Hang with Kenzie and Win PIQNIQ Tickets (Friday): It’s almost time for PIQNIQ!  Get your hands on a White Claw Vodka Soda, a shot at FREE PIQNIQ tickets and the chance to hang with BadFlower in our Puppy Pit at the show! Join Kenzie on Friday, July 14th from 12pm – 2pm at Greet Street Local located at 130 South Green Street in Chicago.

Summer in Chillcago with Brian Philips (Friday): Join Brian Phillips and the Q101 Street Crew in Broadcasting LIVE with Coors Light Friday the 14th starting at 3pm at Yak-Zies , located at 3710 N Clark Street! We’ll be kicking off Summer in Chillcago with Coors Light!  Win tickets, Q101 swag, and much more!

Join Brian & Kenzie at the Bristol Renaissance Fair (Saturday): Join Brian and Kenzie as they Caravan up to the Bristol Renaissance Faire on Saturday, July 15th from 11:00 am to 1:00pm for a fun filled event of revelry!  How many turkey legs can Brian eat?  Will Kenzie be crowned the Fair Lady or Queen?  All these questions and more will be answered on July 15thth so come join Brian and Kenzie with all Q101 Crew members.

Kansas at The Chicago Theater (Saturday)

Carry on, our wayward sons. Kansas celebrates 50 years of existence on Saturday at The Chicago Theater. Limited tickets remain for what could be one of the band’s final performances in the city.

FOOTBALLHEAD at Sleeping Village (Saturday)

FOOTBALLHEAD is one of the many exciting, up-and-coming bands in Chicago. Showcasing the poppier side of 90s radio rock with huge guitars and bubblegum hooks, these nostalgia soaked songs evoke the energy of early Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, and blink-182. They head to Sleeping Village on Saturday night to celebrate the release of their new album, Overthinking Everything. You won’t want to miss this.

Join the Q101 Street Crew for the return of the BTN Big 10K (Saturday): Test your fitness, enjoy a one-of-a-kind race experience, and represent your favorite Big Ten school all while giving back to some great charities!To register and event info click here.

Yellowcard at Northerly Island (Sunday)

Pop-punk legends Yellowcard are back in Chicago for the first time since they reunited at Riot Fest 2022. Joining the fray will be Mayday Parade and Story of the Year, among others. Get a ticket here!

Cheap Trick at Metro (Sunday)

Cheap Trick, one of Chicago’s most iconic bands, heads to the Metro as a part of their 40th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday night. Unfortunately, tickets for this extraordinary event have sold out.